British Pressure Groups Since 1945

British pressure groups have developed rapidly and have had an important effect on British politics since the Second World War so that Wyn Grant, a British political scientist, regards British politics of this phase as the era of pressure groups. This dissertation explores mainly the history of development, the context, the reflecting of influencing governmental policy and evaluating of pressure groups from the perspective of history.The major viewpoints of this dissertation are as follows: Pressure groups are an organization aiming at influencing the governmental policy. British pressure groups have already had more than 200 years' history by now. The second half of the 18^th century was the first peak of British pressure groups. At that time they mainly maneuvered on the local public sectors. The second half of the 19^th century was the second peak. This was a phase of occurring of various pressure groups and pressure groups maneuvered through the whole country. British Pressure groups have presented the third peak since 1945. In this phase pressure groups have laid in the political center. The development of pressure groups has been closely connected with the decline of British party and the support of British government; The development and change of British economy have provided pressure groups with material basis; The change of class, the shortcoming of function of the social welfare and the development of science and education have become the social factor of pressure groups. Pressure groups have exerted pressure on the central government, the European Union, the parliament, the court and the local government so as to influence the country's policy-making. Although some activities are unsuccessful, many pressure groups have accomplished their goals. There is no doubt that pressure groups have a positive effect on British politics. It has become not only an important channel of individual participation in politics but also an important source of government information. Of course, pressure groups have also a negative effect on British politics, such as the overthrowing of government, the hindering of economy, etc. Theory concerning effect of pressure groups has dealed with liberal democracy and new liberalism, etc.